How To Find A Good Dentist

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If you're looking for a new dentist for you or your family to go to, it can be very hard to know which one is right for you and above all how to avoid a "bad seed" of the dental profession. Unless you possess real psychic ability, the only way you can tell good dentists from bad it is to look for different "Signs".

Positive Signs
Good dentists take a personal interest in patients and their health. They are prevention-oriented but not faddists. They use x-ray films and probably suggest a full-mouth study unless suitable films are available from the patient's previous dentist.

A thorough dental examination includes inspection of the teeth, gums, tongue, lips, inside of the cheek, palate, and the skin of the face and neck, plus feeling the neck for abnormal lymph nodes and enlargement of the thyroid gland. In adults a periodontal probe should be inserted between the gums and teeth to detect abnormally large crevices. Good dentists also chart their findings in detail.

The frequency of maintenance care (including calculus removal and x-ray examinations) should be based on an assessment of the frequency of cavity formation, the rate of calculus formation, the condition of the gums, and any other special problem. Once current treatment has been completed, the patient should be placed on a recall schedule and notified when the next checkup is due.

High-quality dental work usually lasts a very long time, whereas low-quality work may fall out or decay out in a few years. The price of dental work is not the best way to judge quality; rather, pay attention to the time the dentist takes to do the work. High-quality dentistry cannot be done assembly-line style; it takes time and meticulous attention to detail.

Negative Signs
Be wary of flamboyant advertising, because it is likely to signify an emphasis on mass production rather than quality care When the fees charged per service are low, the number of services performed may be greater than needed, resulting in higher overall cost.

Dentists whose ads overemphasize "twilight sleep," cosmetic dentistry, and one-visit comprehensive treatment may not be interested in long-term maintenance care that does not generate high income.

Routine use of intravenous sedation is another bad sign because it means that patients are exposed to unnecessary risks. Although general anesthesia can be appropriate for children, adults with seizure disorders, and a few other situations, the vast majority of patients do not need it for routine dentistry.

A small percentage of dentists espouse or engage in unscientific pracftices. You should avoid any dentists who:

1. Sell vitamins or other dietary supplements
2. Automatically recommend replacement of amalgam fillings or removal of teeth that have root canals
3. "Specialize" in treating headaches, backaches, myofascial pain, or TMJ problems
4. Allege that fluoridation is dangerous
5. Identify themselves as practicing "holistic" or "biological" dentistry
6. Diagnose neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis (NICO)
7. Go beyond dentistry by diagnosing "heavy metal toxicity" or diseases other than those of the mouth, gums, teeth, and associated tissues.
   

Other Tips
It makes sense to become acquainted with a family dentist before an emergency arises. Suitable prospects can be identified by asking among friends, acquaintances, and local health professionals. Additional recommendations can be obtained from a local dental society or a dental school if one is located nearby.

A good first step is to schedule a "get acquainted" visit to see whether your personalities and philosophies of health care are a match. Ask about fees and payment plans. Most dentists prefer patients to initiate discussion of fees because patients know more about their own financial situation. Where large fees are involved for major work, it is best to have a written understanding of what fees will be charged and when payment will be due.

Before embarking on treatment, get a clear understanding at your own level of what is to be done and what the outcome might be. Consider treatment options, because there may be more than one way to accomplish a goal. For example, a removable bridge, fixed bridge, or an implant may all be acceptable ways to replace a missing tooth; but they have different advantages, disadvantages, and cost.

Consumers Research offer these questions for judging a dentist's skills after you have received treatment:

• How Does Your Bite Feel?
• Is Any Of The Dental Work Irritating Your Gum?
• Does The Treated Tooth Look Like A Tooth?
• Does Dental Floss Or Your Tongue Catch On The Tooth?
• Did The Dentist Take Time To Polish Your Fillings?
• Do You Feel Pain When Drinking Hot Or Cold Liquids?
• Was Any Debris Left In Your Mouth After Treatment?
• Does The Dentist Use A Water Spray To Cool Your Teeth While Drilling?

Above all, don't continue using a dentist who you are not comfortable. God knows there are plenty of dentists out there so don't deprive yourself of proper dental health care because of one bad experience with a dentist.